While driving car the front passenger wheel moved sideways; it was discovered after being towed that the sub frame (or engine cradle) was rusted and broken in a few places; Mazda claims that they have no problem with rusted frames but have had them for this model on back order for 6 months; it cost $1100 to replace the frame and 6 weeks to get a used one.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

I have been having something making noise in the rear end of the vehicle since Feb. I had people check it during oil change and said everything looked fine. On 06/21/2018 while getting a tire fixed I had this company check the noise. They discovered that the rear drivers side subframe had rusted away and becoming a safety hazard. So this is about a $1300 fix not counting new parts that will connect to the subframe. The subframe is on backorder for the next 3 to 4 weeks. So just hoping car will stay together until then. Also Mazda only has to subframes in stock within the us and doesn't sound like willing to ship here. The front subframe does have rust but not putting it on a lift until rear subframe is here as I think the lift is stressing the read subframe.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

We were driving my 2009 Mazda 6 on 4/25/2018 - which I purchased new in Sept., 2009 from berkshire Mazda in pittsfield, MA, 01201. The car suddenly veered dangerously to the right at about 50 mph on NY rt 22 (the road had rough pavement) in canaan, NY, went off the road, barely missing two trees. It had to be towed from the scene. If this sub-frame had broken apart 5 minutes later I would have been on I-90 next to semi trucks. Two people in the car could easily have been killed, endangering other motorists as well. There is no rust-through on the body of the car. It has been regularly serviced. It has about 85,000 miles. I called Mazda they said there's no recall for sub-frame rust/deterioration. This is the fourth Mazda our family has purchased. I have seen numerous other online complaints and descriptions of the 2009 Mazda 6 losing directional stability because the front sub-frame had collapsed due to premature rust disintegration. I also see that this particular model: 2009 Mazda 6 was recalled in australia for this exact problem. NHTSA needs to have this recall enacted to protect american lives as well.

- Hillsdale, NY, USA

Loss of steering due to passenger side rusted sub frame

- Mason, OH, USA

Front subframe and engine support rusted out to the point that it was cracked and broken had to be replaced before it resulted in catastrophe loss of control. I had to replace this part @ $2500 just to keep car drive able. I've since sold car after frame was replaced with new oem part.

- Scarborough, ME, USA

2009 Mazda Mazda6. 121000 miles. 9.5 years old. Driver side of front subframe rusted through and cracked. First noticed that the steering wheel was turned 1/4 left of where it should be when the vehicle was moving straight. Had mechanic assess. Paid $90 for alignment. Drove vehicle again. Backed out of driveway and heard pop. Steering felt much looser. Difficult to control vehicle. When depressing the brake quickly in traffic, the vehicle pulled strongly to one side. Wheel would not center. Vehicle would no longer maintain consistent steering. Had driven and checked at mechanic. Diagnosed rusted and cracked subframe. Mechanic found used subframe from Maryland. Quoted $2000 minimum for repair. Could be more if bolts were rusted holding frame in or repair required work from top side. All other systems on vehicle in excellent shape (no issues) with electrical, engine, etc. Had hoped to get 3 more years out of vehicle. New York state conditions are conducive to rust, but this failure is serious, could have led to a serious accident, and seems premature.

- Churchville, NY, USA

The subframe of my 2009 Mazda6 completely rotted out from the inside and the vehicle broke down during normal use. On Wednesday, May 2nd, a Mazda dealership replaced my rotors, pads, and noticed the car was pulling to one side so they corrected the alignment. During this time they identified a normal level of rust on the subframe but was not concerned by any other signs of failure. Less than 10 miles after leaving the dealership the subframe cracked, my front passenger wheel cv axil disconnected and the car was inoperable. Thankfully I was going only 35 mph, down a straight, paved city road, and not on the highway. I fear that at higher speeds the car would have gone off road or worse for when the subframe broke the car jerked heavily to the right then completely stopped. I believe the dealership provided quality service and due to the type of physical failure of rotting from the inside the danger it posed to myself and my family in the car was hidden. The dealership informs me that there is a backorder (400ish) for the part and that parts may not be available for several weeks. Searching online there seems to be many similar cases reported with models around this timeframe. Due to the type of failure, number of similar cases, age of the car, type of use, I am shocked that there is not a recall.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

In September 2017 while driving on a city street at approximately 30 mph there was a sudden and significant loss of steering control following a loud knock originating from the front end of the vehicle. Upon inspection the front crossmember/sub-frame was completely corroded to the point of breaking. The steering rack became totally separated from its mounts on the passenger side resulting in the steering loss. The failure occurred at 85,583 miles. Since the failure I have attempted to get this fixed. However, even after trying to get a replacement sub-frame from 4 different dealerships, I have been unable to get one for the last 7 months. They are back ordered and every time the date comes around, the date is pushed back further again, again, and again. I have reached out to Mazda's North american customer service (service request number 1-1245266941) and in the last month have gotten no more than we'll look into when a replacement will be available. In researching this problem, it is apparent that this is far from an isolated incident as many others with this model car report failures of this exact nature. The employees of the local Mazda parts departments are well aware of the complaints as well and have stated to me they are surprised that Mazda has not initiated a recall or tsb regarding this issue. These failures have the potential to create a significant risk of injury and it is my belief that Mazda is not treating this situation with the seriousness and promptness that it warrants. It is my understanding that this same part is was installed on not only the 2009 models, but all model years through 2013. If there is not corrective action taken, it is reasonable to expect this problem to persist for years to come as the other later models age.

- Lyndhurst, OH, USA

Front sub frame is completely rusted out to the point of braking and immediately not safe to drive, rest of the undercarriage is completely clean of rust. Mazda Corp. Has denied claim to repair the damage under warranty. Please advise.

- Twinsburg, OH, USA

While driving at highway speed (55-65mph) the steering wheel began progressively rotating counter-clockwise with the vehicle remaining straight. The dynamic stability control turned off as if the vehicle was out of control and the vehicle acted as if it were on icy/slick surfaces no longer providing support to the driver. The braking system began to struggle nearly causing an accident on the off ramp of the expressway causing a fishtail with the ABS attempting to engage. At this point the steering wheel was registering straight' with the steering wheel turned approximately 30 degrees left. Somehow at speeds less than 15 mph the vehicle was driven to the local Mazda dealership where it has a service history for an emergency service inspection. A test drive with a service representative supported the owner's complaints of a severe safety concern with right turns causing a significant 'grinding'/metallic dragging sound as if the vehicle's right under-side was contacting the ground. After inspecting the vehicle in the lift the mechanic determined there was front passenger frame metal corrosion which was breaking off in chunks. The dealership voiced awareness of another 2009 Mazda6 with similar miles (approximately 15,000 fewer) having nearly the same issue last fall/winter. The vehicle in this report has approximately 189,000 primarily highway miles and is otherwise in excellent condition for its year/make/model. The aforementioned frame failure should never happen and is believed to be a manufacturer defect which should not be the responsibility of the owner. Fortunately in this case there was not an automobile accident/collision, injury, or death though this could have easily happened. I do believe there is an extremely serious problem here and needs to be investigated as human lives are at stake.

- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA

Steering safety issue urgent. Vehicle was being driven on a highway when suddenly lost steering, front end of vehicle elevated upon turning steering wheel when it was stopped and stationary. Subframe of vehicle rotted prematurely allowing steering linkage attached to subframe to become detached. Vehicle unsafe and required tow to dealership. Dealership inspected vehicle and reported subframe needed replacement in order to fix safety issue - car not able to be driven until repair complete. Vehicle had been serviced at same dealership for years and issue never reported with subframe. This is an extremely unsafe condition for these vehicles. Technician verbally reported that premature rust/rot could be due to location of ac condenser drain line. Subframe replaced with new Mazda oem subframe. Friend with same make/model/year recently reported same issue with subframe.

- Ashburnham, MA, USA

I am having trouble with my alignment going out had it done and a day later went back out. Apon review it turn out the sub frame by the motor cradle is disintegrated causing the problems with steering and alignment.

- Vermilion, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Mazda 6. while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic, it was diagnosed that the engine cradle was defective due to severe corrosion and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the repair; however, the parts were unavailable for the repair. The contact was informed by a Mazda representative that this was a known failure with that particular model vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000. The VIN was not provided.

- Fairlawn, OH, USA

The sub frame on my 2009 Mazda 6 broke while my husband was coming to a stop, which nearly caused an accident. He was able to drive it at a very low speed to a nearby service station. They were able to get it on a lift to survey the damage - it had a severely rusted sub frame that broke and had to be replaced. He was on vacation and had to have the car towed 300 miles to our local Mazda dealer. The local dealer said "they had never seen this", we also have contacted Mazda, several times they have blatantly ignored us. The car has been well maintained, I am the original owner, the body of the car has no rust !

- Spencerport, NY, USA